Kyle Turley, former NFL player and friend of the late Junior Seau, recently told the U-T’s Michael Gehlken he’s on a mission to make football a safer sport for his boy.

The story published April 30. On Twitter two days later, Turley announced a move to make his own life safer:

“Taking the gun out of the truck, having the wife get a safe & keep the combo, MY CHOICE! 2 much love, thank y'all!!!”

Turley’s Tweet came May 2.

On May 2 of last year, Seau committed suicide with a handgun.

Turley, talking to Gehlken, theorized that an "impulse" like one that has seized him, leaving him "completely gone," also troubled Seau.

The gun is for his family's safety.

“I'm a big believer in the Second Amendment,” Turley told Gehlken. “I'm still that defensive guy that's going to help. I've got my gun in my car and in my house. If I've got to protect my family, I will.”

All the same, it was a relief to learn the gun is in a safe. I thought of our talk last May, when Turley, who played for San Diego State, told me he planned to have his brain studied.

"I do feel my brain is a ticking time bomb," he said. "If I don't take medication, I very well could in the same situation as Junior is in. It is very scary for me and should be for others."